By James Innocent
Over 15 journalists in the Greater Yei Counties (Yei, Lainya, Morobo and Kajo-Keji) have undergone a training aimed at enhancing their reporting skills as the slated December elections loom.
It focused on equipping media professionals with the tools necessary to provide accurate information.
Speaking during the opening of the training on Thursday, Joseph Boombe, a national project officer with the IOM, highlighted that the training is designed for journalists from various media houses across the Greater Yei counties, focusing on media professionalism in preparation for election reporting.
The three-day event took place in Yei River County.
The training, conducted in collaboration with UNMISS, aims to enhance journalists’ skills ahead of the elections scheduled for December 2024.
Boombe encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training, mentioning that it is important for ethical reporting during the election period.
The commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme expressed his commitment to working closely with media houses.
Seme noted that many community members rely on accurate information, especially those in refugee camps.
He stressed the need for reliable reporting to help alleviate fears and encourage displaced individuals to return home.
“The media is the fourth estate,” Seme stated. “I applaud all the journalists for turning up for the training. Communities want to know what is happening, especially those in refugee camps who are willing to return. We must combat misinformation that can deter them.”
He further emphasized the importance of journalists in providing a unified and truthful narrative to counteract hate speech and erroneous reports.
UNMISS team leader James Mugwo Murithihi underscored the training’s focus on mitigating misinformation in society.
He urged media houses to maintain independence and avoid aligning with political parties to ensure the dissemination of accurate information.
“The training aims to combat rumors and misinformation, ensuring that citizens receive clear and truthful information,” Murithihi stated. “I urge all journalists to remain impartial in their reporting.”
Slash Moses, the project manager for Fin Church Aid, reinforced the need for journalists to prioritize accuracy in their reporting.
“Media professionals should always strive to provide the public with reliable information,” he said.
As communities deal with challenges related to misinformation, journalists play a critical role in promoting truth and accountability.